The Roman Foodie

Where to Spend Your Thanksgiving in Rome 2016

If you’re an American expat like me, spending your Thanksgiving outside the U.S. can bring about a case of the blues. Imagining all your loved ones back home gathered around the table for Thanksgiving dinner while you’re in Italy and Thanksgiving is just another day here can be difficult. Fear not though, there are some restaurants here in Rome that pull out all the stops to provide a place for the American expat and visiting tourists to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings. The following restaurants provide you a holiday home away from home, so even though you’re physically far away from home, you don’t have to miss out on any of the holiday traditions and festivities. Here is where to spend Thanksgiving in Rome 2016.


Hard Rock Cafe

The Hard Rock Cafe isn’t typically a place Americans back home would think about spending their Thanksgiving. However, the Rome location of this restaurant provides a wonderful dinner alternative for the nostalgic expat. For the price of 35 euros, Americans (and non) can enjoy the following menu on turkey day: Appetizer – Choice of Corn Chowder Soup
or Pumpkin Skins, MAIN COURSE – Traditional Turkey Dinner served with stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables and gravy sauce, DESSERT – Choice of Pecan Pie served with ice cream or Pumpkin Pie served with ice cream, DRINKS – 1 Bottled Beer and Non-Alcoholic drinks (choice of: Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, 7UP, Schweppes Orange, Mineral Water). The restaurant will be having two different seatings for dinner: 6.30pm-9pm and 9pm-11.30pm. Seatings are limited and reservations are required. To reserve a spot at their Thanksgiving table, e-mail rome_salescoordinator1@hardrock.com or call 06-4203051.

Address: Via Vittorio Veneto 62 a/b, Rome | Phone: +39 06 420 3051 | Price: $$ | Thanksgiving Hours: 6.30pm-9pm, 9pm-11.30pm | Web: www.hardrock.com


Highlander Pub Rome

What would a traditional Thanksgiving be without the football games that go along with it? For that extra authentic game touch, Highlander Pub in Rome has got you covered. Not only will the pub be serving Thanksgiving dinner, but patrons can also watch the Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions football game starting at 6.30pm and the Washington Redskins vs Dallas Cowboys game starting at 10.30pm. From 6:30pm to 8pm, they will be serving an ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BUFFET. Food includes all of the traditional holiday food and appetizers such as roast turkey, mashed potatoes, cooked vegetables, gravy, and cranberry sauce to name a few. The price of the dinner is 35 euros and includes a drink of choice. As if football and turkey dinner weren’t enough, their Special Edition Thanksgiving Karaoke Session starts at 11pm! Dinner seating is limited to 40 guests so reservations are required. You can e-mail info@highlanderome.com for more info.

Address: Vicolo di San Biagio, 9, Rome | Phone: +39 06 688 05368 | Price: $$ | Thanksgiving Hours: 6.30pm till end of karaoke fun | Web: www.highlanderome.com



Mama’s Ristorante Pizzeria

The restaurant of an Italian-American woman open since 2006, the philosophy of the cuisine at Mama’s is to provide food that is a reinterpretation of Mediterranean cuisine in a contemporary, simple and tasty way while combining it with the American home hospitality style of “feels like home.” For a real down home Thanksgiving meal, Mama’s is the place to go. Known as the go-to place for Italian-Americans living in Rome, every year, they host a Thanksgiving dinner at their restaurant. Though they have not yet put out their official menu for the holiday, they have confirmed that they will be offering a Thanksgving spread on turkey day. In the past, the has menu typically included stuffed turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and the like. For more information or to make a reservation, contact the restaurant directly.

Address: Via Bellagio, 2, Labaro (RM) | Phone: +39 06 33614537 | Price: $$ | Thanksgiving Hours: contact the restaurant directly for info | Web: www.ristorantemamas.it


Brunello Lounge & Restaurant

If you’re looking for a 5-star, high class, Italian culinary interpretation of Thanksgiving dinner, then Brunello is the place for you. For 60 euros, the kitchen will whip you up a feast that’s fit for a king. Their Thanksgiving menu includes pumpkin timbale with sheep’s milk ricotta on a bed of leek puree and crispy guanciale bacon, stuffed sweet potato ravioli in a butter and Norcia truffle sauce with Umbrian pecorino cheese shavings, turkey dumpling stuffed with chestnuts, apples, and prunes with a potato and shallot timbale, and pumpkin flavored crème brûlée with Amedei dark chocolate mousse and chestnuts for dessert. Both mineral water and coffee are included in the price. Don’t hesitate, reserve your place at the table today!

Address: Via Veneto, 70/A, Rome | Phone: +39 06 421111 | Price: $$$ | Dinner Hours: 7.30pm – 22.45pm | Web: www.baglionihotels.com


Being away from home and loved ones during the holidays can be tough, but there’s no need to deprive yourself of a wonderful, traditional holiday meal on Thanksgiving. Even if you can’t be back in the U.S. to celebrate turkey day, these restaurants provide great alternatives to help you celebrate, have a great meal and get into the spirit of the holiday. Now, all you have to do is pick the one that best suits the way you wish to spend your Thanksgiving in Rome 2016!